newbie questions.

hello there.  considering giving whitewater kayaking a try. I've been spending a lot of time flatwater kayaking and i'm trying to decide what direction to go to get started.  

first question: what yak recomendations for a beginner?  right now i'm considering either buying an inexpensive used yak on ksl to avoid investing as much cash in case ww kayaking ends up not being my thing,  or else waiting till tax return early next year and buying a new pyranha fusion or LL remix xp so i can just add it to my flatwater fleet if the ww thing doesnt pan out for me.

second question,  whats the best local place to just try to practice and get a feel for whatever boat i go with?  i am in the layton area and was planning on practicing at the riverdale kayak park.  worth my time?  

last question:  what would be the best starting point for trying river runs? weber up by hennefer? 

lastly: my experience level so far is exclusively flatwater.  i've got a perception america 11,  an old town egret 14'6" and a sundolphin aruba 12 ss that i use for fishing.  none of which are suited for river running. Anyways thanks for any advice!

The first thing I would do is take a kayak class and learn to roll in a pool.  Most of the places that teach kayaking also have boats so you could learn a little about boats before you buy. 
The U of U in Salt Lake and Gear:30 in Ogden both teach kayaking.  Take the kayak class this winter and you can be ready to kayak next Spring.
When you do buy a kayak, the most important thing is fit, not type of kayak.  You don't sit in a kayak so much as wear it.

Also... come to the pool sessions this winter. Plenty of good folks there who would love to help out. Just post here a few days before, and ask if anyone would mind bringing another "set up" to borrow... I'd be glad to, but only make it to about 2-3 per winter. Most boaters have more than one set up. Anyway, welcome & good luck!

Come to Kayak polo in o-town on weds from 6:30-8:30 @ the Marshal White Center
we have a few boats for you to try out. its 5 bucks. come a little early and we'll teach ya to roll.

hmm i might be able to make the kayak polo times, though not until he end of october.  too crazy of a work schedule   can you tell me more about it?

as for the pool sessions,  i've heard about those.  layton surf n swim right?  

thanks for the input people

We only have a few Layton Surf-n-Swim sessions a year (2 to 4).  You are welcome to come.  Let us know so we can bring extra gear.  For most people, they don't happen often enough to learn to roll. 
The pool sessions are in ordinary swimming pools and are more oriented to rolling and practicing bracing, etc.